poetry prose & illustration
Richard/Rebecca
a story of the Chartists by Sue Hitchcock A novel set amongst the Chartists and the Rebecca Riots might not sound like much of a page-turner but Sue Hitchcock defies expectations with her excellent second book Richard/ Rebecca – a story of the Chartists, published by Bourne to Write. Hitchcock’s first novel, The Small Shop – also available on Amazon, is a heartwarming homage to HG Wells, distinguished by a strong sense of character and crisp prose. In her new novel we meet 17-year-old Richard who becomes involved in the Rebecca Riots which took place in rural west Wales, in 1839-1843. The riots were a series of protests made by tenant farmers against the payment of tolls charged to use the roads. Tolls were a big expense for small farmers, who used the roads to take their crops and animals to market, and also to collect lime. During the riots, men disguised as women attacked the tollgates. They called themselves ‘Rebecca and her daughters’. Hitchcock investigates why there was a three-year silence between the riots and imagines what could have been part of her family history, had any records
The Tango School Mystery A Crampton of the Chronicle Adventure by Peter Bartram When young reporter Colin Crampton's romantic dinner with his girlfriend is rudely interrupted by the discovery of a body in the flat above the restaurant, his journalistic instincts kick in and adventure ensues. Already tasked with investigating the disappearance of his boss's brother, Crampton, ace reporter with the Brighton Chronicle, suspects a connection between this and the mystery corpse. The trail soon leads to a sinister character from the past and a conspiracy to kill a leading public figure. As he unravels the plot he encounters a thuggish ex-military officer, a professor of witchcraft with a 40-year-old grudge, and the Argentinian proprietress of the eponymous tango school. In the course of his investigation, aided and abetted by his feisty Australian girlfriend, our plucky reporter nearly gets himself killed, has a close encounter with the local hunt and solves the apparently random but ultimately significant theft of three
been kept. Written in first person the result is a fascinating and compelling journey through 19th century life and politics. It is also cleverly illustrated with period hymns, portraits and charters. From the outset the tone and the voice of the novel feel authentic, in fact it reads like a ‘found’ testimony; “I never went to school”, says the narrator in the opening line, rather his education is the farmyard and the harsh realities of a basic rural life. Eventually, politics and protest sweep our hero and the reader up in a story that will resonate like a drum beating for justice. Richard/Rebecca is a living history waiting in the wings for the film maker Mike Leigh. –reviewed by Roddy Phillips Published by Bourne to Write, December 2019. Available on Amazon in paperback £6.99 and Kindle £1.99.
waxwork figures of celebrities. The Tango School Mystery rattles along at just the right pace, fast enough to keep you intrigued but not so fast as to make you breathless. The action is tempered with a generous helping of humour, Crampton being the master of the oneliner and Bartram having a dry delivery reminiscent of the voice-over in a noir thriller. Hugely enjoyable, I now have a taste for more Crampton of the Chronicles' Brighton mysteries. Available from Amazon or via author's website. Peter Bartram started as a reporter on a local weekly newspaper, graduated to newspaper and magazine editor in London and finally turned freelance. He wrote 21 nonfiction books before turning to crime – and penning the Crampton of the Chronicle series. For more information go to www.colincrampton.com & www.peterbartram.co.uk
ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27
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